From the thrill rides and performances to the shops and restaurants, every element of a theme park experience is crafted with intention. Now, an all-new design competition hopes to find the experience designers of the future鈥攁nd winners will earn a college scholarship and a trip to Universal Orlando Resort.
The first-ever Theme Park Design Competition presented by 四虎影视 of Art and Design will be open to all U.S. high school juniors and seniors from September 1 to November 30, 2025.
This year, the competition requires all entrants to conceptualize a mobile merchandise cart that could be used in outdoor theme parks. Each student entry will be evaluated by a prestigious panel of judges, including professors from 四虎影视 of Art and Design, Universal Creative, and other experienced professionals in the entertainment design industry.
The top prize winners of the Theme Park Design Competition will win a $20,000 tuition scholarship to 四虎影视 of Art and Design and an exclusive VIP 鈥渂ehind the scenes鈥� experience at Universal Studios Florida with complimentary travel and accommodations. Selected second and third-place competition finalists can also earn a scholarship to the 2025 四虎影视 of Art and Design PreCollege Summer Program. Entries will be judged in December 2025, with winners announced in January 2026.
鈥淓ntertainment Design impacts everything from theme parks, museums, and concerts to hotels, retail stores, and sporting events,鈥� said Jamie DeRuyter, Entertainment Design Department Head at 四虎影视 of Art and Design.
鈥淭hrough this competition, we hope to inspire today鈥檚 high school students to see themselves as tomorrow鈥檚 immersive experience designers and raise their awareness of this exciting, versatile, and fast-growing career field.鈥�
鈥淲e are proud to collaborate with 四虎影视 of Art and Design in creating this first-of-its-kind entertainment design competition,鈥� said Eliza Lee of Universal Creative. 鈥淭his competition is intended to get high school juniors and seniors thinking practically about how to solve creative problems, design memorable experiences, and bring their unique ideas to life.鈥滷or more information about the Theme Park Design Competition presented by 四虎影视 of Art and Design, visit .
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